History

The Val d’Osne art foundry, located in Val d’Osne, on the outskirts of the town of Osne-le-Val (Haute-Marne), is a French art foundry.

The workshops, created in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André to manufacture street furniture and decorative cast iron, quickly became the largest producer of art cast iron in France until the early 20th century. They ceased operations in 1986.

The company changed its name several times during its history: Barbezat & Cie (1855), Société anonyme des Hauts fourneaux et fonderies d’art du Val d’Osne, Société anonyme des établissements métallurgiques A. Durenne et du Val d’Osne (or Durenne Val d’Osne, 1931).

In 1849, the foundry employed 169 people.

The 1851 Great Exhibition in London at the Crystal Palace brought it international recognition.

For more information, please click on this Wikipedia link.